As we consider the past year, a selection of outstanding feature-length stories emerges. These accounts probe multifaceted topics from political intrigue and historical revelations to profoundly personal sagas.
The Mysterious Writer and the Soul of a Nation
Victor Pelevin gained prominence in the 1990s with biting commentaries on autocratic rule. Although numerous of his literary contemporaries have encountered suppression or fled the nation, he continues to move millions of copies. It prompts a pertinent query: Has he become an supporter for the Kremlin?
Endurance and Collaboration in Syria's Devastating Conflict
The tale of Mustafa, who at 18 was informed that his sole way out of prison was to enlist in the regime military. After fourteen years, his former role as one of the Syrian leader's fighters could now cost him his life.
The Acrimonious Dispute Over Our Ancient Origins
The finding of ancient bones in the Djurab desert in 2001 was hailed as fundamentally re-writing the story of our species. But, some scholars was convinced. The subsequent heated scholarly debate has taken over the lives of scholars ever since.
The UK Sect That Hid in Plain Sight
Philippa Barnes was only a young girl when her household joined the a religious community. As an grown woman, she played a key role in expose the disturbing scale of mistreatment it had perpetrated.
A Statesman's Unexpected Stance on International Law
Many voters hoped that the former human rights lawyer would restore the Britain's commitment to international law. However, the performance over the first year in office has been curiously inconsistent.
Shattering a Nation's Myth
A film following a remorseful fraudster as she ensnares corrupt individuals with hidden cameras poses difficult questions: Is she genuinely reformed, and what are the filmmaker's own intentions?
A Man Who Remediates Britain's Most Difficult Stains
From homicide sites to whale blubber, Ben Giles has encountered – and restored – it all. In their darkest hours, people rely on him to bring back order.
Can an Famous Museum Weather an "Perfect Storm"?
Beset by colonial controversy, precarious finances and the revelation of an internal thief, Britain's leading cultural institution is in deep trouble. The challenge remains: Can it restore its legacy?
More Than "Morning Sickness": A Suffering of Extreme Pregnancy
Called a severe form of pregnancy sickness and once termed 'pernicious vomiting' by the Victorians, this illness has for centuries lacked an reliable treatment end – until perhaps now.
The Spectre of Radicalism in Contemporary Politics
A violent fanatic and early advocate of bigotry, a rabbi died a marginalized pariah 35 years ago. Today, his teachings shape the highest echelons of the state.
The British Professional With a Dishonest Secret
With his brilliant mind and impeccable reputation, it's understandable that high-net-worth clients entrusted him with their wealth. Then they began to become uneasy.
A Small State That Emerged as the World's Mediation Center
An extremely wealthy country has become a major player on the world stage, working to broker peace in some of the most intractable conflicts. What are fueling this ambitious endeavor?
An Close-Up View at a Leader Preparing for International Battle
Extremely disliked at home, the French leader thrives on the international arena, where he projects himself as the leader uniquely positioned to manage a certain sitting American leader. Seven years after their previous meeting, a writer joined him as he readied himself for the summit.
During the Court Case of a Tragic Case
How did the daughter of an aristocrat find herself at the Old Bailey with her companion, charged with killing their two-week-old baby?
An Dismantling of a Major Aid Organization: Not Universal Mourning
When efforts were made to wind down a prominent aid agency, many around the world were shocked. But on the ground in Sierra Leone, this most recent letdown was not unforeseen.
A Shocking 1960s Study on South Asian Mothers
When information about a medical study in the 1960s became public, there was immense shock. But the exact nature of the procedures is still somewhat unclear.
The "Master" of the Attention Economy
He's endured a full day in slime, two days underground – and given away vast amounts of cash to lucky participants. But are these productions simply very clever entertainment – or works of avant garde genius?
Life in a Nation Endangered by the Rising Seas
With sea levels rising, much of this Pacific island nation's residents is confronting the prospect that their homeland may soon be submerged. The pressing question is: Where are they going to go?
One Tragic Case of Youth Destitution
When I encountered Craig he was thirteen and without a home. I still hoped his situation might improve. I was devastatingly mistaken.
The Global AI Competition and a Pivotal Defection
In the recent past, after living half his life in the US, a leading AI scientist took a one-way ticket to China. Today, he may hold the secret to who wins the global technological rivalry.
The most impactful stories
